Speaking Soundly

Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic Semyon Bychkov is an artist whose commitment, passion, and obsession with making music is contagious. To kick off the conversation Semyon and David discuss the unique relationship between a conductor and a musician based on their own experiences performing together at the Metropolitan Opera. The Maestro recalls his earliest musical experiences at age 5 (he had perfect pitch!), the moment when he realized he was born to conduct, and the parallels between his life as an artist and an athlete. Semyon shares why winning the Rachmaninoff Conducting Competition led to his escape from the former Soviet Union and ultimate emigration to the United States in 1975 and how he came to inherit Rachmaninoff's briefcase and some of his scores. To close out the conversation Semyon shares what he loves most about Carnegie Hall and how he perceives the power of music.Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!Check out Semyon Bychkov on Instagram, X, Facebook, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.For more info on the Czech Philharmonic visit them on the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a tax-deductible donation here.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Semyon Bychkov by Marco Borggreve.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

American tenor Michael Fabiano brings an intense passion to every performance. The recipient of the Beverly Sills Artist Award and the Richard Tucker Award joins David to discuss the obligation of every singer, challenges modern day performers face, the importance of being prepared, and how his analytic mind was made for a life in music. Michael divulges why his journey into opera is unique, how he credits his success to his business acumen, his biggest career mistake, and how he got over his inner demons. To close it out David and Michael reflect on a 2015 performance at The Metropolitan Opera where Michael took to the stage with only a few hours of notice and without time to rehearse! Be sure to listen for what slogan David thinks Michael should have printed on a t-shirt.Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!Check out Michael Fabiano on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web. Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Michael Fabiano by Diego Bendezu.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Critically acclaimed American pianist and composer Aaron Diehl deftly traverses the jazz and classical worlds. The GRAMMY nominated artist discusses the music of his childhood (Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, and Johann Sebastian Bach), early performances on stage at his family's church, and how he learned to play "Deck the Halls" on the piano at age 5. He tells David why loosening up in his music playing is vital yet still scary and how a summer at Interlochen was a turning point in his musicianship. Aaron recounts how after winning the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington competition he nearly turned down a European Tour at age 17 with Wynton Marsalis (thank goodness he didn't!!), what he learned through that experience, and why enrolling at The Juilliard School was a gift after this education on the road. To close it out Aaron describes how his life as a pilot mimics his performances on stage.Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!Check out Aaron Diehl on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web. Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Aaron Diehl by Evelyn Freja.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

American soprano Lisette Oropesa is one of today's most in-demand opera singers. After performing with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra this past summer in Asia, Lisette sits down with David for our season premiere. To kick the conversation off she discusses what goes through her mind as she sings, how she avoids being a tortured musician, and David's faux pas in Tokyo. Reminiscing about her childhood as a flutist and band nerd, Lisette shares why she shifted to become an opera singer and how generous LSU Opera supporters helped prepare her for auditions at the Met early in her career. Lisette candidly talks about her weight loss and running journeys and how they made her a stronger performer. To close it out Lisette excitedly discusses her upcoming recital debut at Carnegie Hall later this month. Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!Check out Lisette Oropesa on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web. Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Lisette Oropesa by Steven Harris.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

American conductor and cellist Jonathon Heyward is the Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center. It's remarkable that he's achieved such prominent positions at just 31-years-old. On this Season 5 finale of Speaking Soundly, Jonathon sits down with David to reflect on his meteoric rise, the serendipitous moments in his childhood that led to his flourishing career, his evolution as a musician, and how he earned the nickname "Converse Conductor.”Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share the podcast with your friends if you liked this episode!Check out Jonathon Heyward on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Apple Music, or the web. To learn more about the orchestras Jonathon directs visit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center.  Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Jonathon Heyward by Laura Thiesbrummel.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Grammy nominated American tenor Lawrence Brownlee has been hailed as “an international star in the bel canto operatic repertory” (The New York Times) and as a voice for activism and diversity in the classical music industry. The pickleball fanatic discusses his Metropolitan Opera auditions, why the high C's aren't the only notes that matter, and what it was like to be cast as Tamino in The Magic Flute before he had ever seen an opera. Reflecting on his childhood rooted in gospel music, Lawrence shares how "music was inside of him" from the age of nine, what he felt at age twelve from the reaction to his first solo, and how he was inspired by The Three Tenors, specifically Pavarotti. Recounting the time an agent told him he'd never succeed because of his height and race, Lawrence talks about where he finds his confidence and what it's like to get a standing ovation mid-performance.Check out Lawrence Brownlee on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, or the web.  Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Lawrence Brownlee by Zakiyah Caldwell BurroughsThe Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

Kenji López-Alt is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, renowned chef, culinary scientist, podcast host, YouTube sensation, and violinist. Despite his transformative impact on the culinary world and how most people cook at home, he sits down with David to discuss his true passion, making music. Kenji reflects on his early beginnings on the violin at age 4 at New York City's School for Strings, why he thinks the Suzuki method is "pretty special," and how he evaded practice at home, thus David crowning him the "Ferris Bueller of the violin." They go on to discuss Kenji's summers at Greenwood Music Camp where he fell in love with music and pulled off mischievous tricks, why he ultimately chose the path of an engineering degree from MIT instead of studying at a conservatory, and his excitement for an event he's co-hosting with James Ehnes for the Seattle Chamber Music Society this July. In the second half of the interview Kenji talks about his daughter's first performance that made him "ugly cry," as well as his first restaurant job, when he hit rock bottom of his cooking career, and how he changed course. To close it out Kenji contemplates the rewards of practice (cooking and music), his hopes for his children’s musical education, and why Beethoven's Opus 130 still makes his back tingle.Check out Kenji López-Alt on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or the web. Shop Kenji's books here and listen to his new podcast The Recipe with Kenji and Deb.To learn more about and buy tickets to Kenji's Tasting Notes event with James Ehnes benefitting the Seattle Chamber Music Society click here. Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Kenji López-Alt courtesy of the guest.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.

American conductor Gerard Schwarz has led some of the world's finest orchestras for the past half-century. With 9 Emmy Awards, 14 Grammy nominations, and a catalogue of over 350 recordings, it's remarkable to consider that Gerard's illustrious journey began with a pivotal decision—leaving behind his first career as a trumpet soloist. Gerard reflects on this decision and early influences of his musical career including Szell and Bernstein, summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and a performance of Aida he saw at age 7. He discusses walking away from the trumpet to pursue a second career as a conductor, why he calls himself a musical traditionalist, and how the audience experience has changed over the years.Check out Gerard Schwarz on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or the web.Follow Speaking Soundly on Instagram.Follow David on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram and the web.Photograph of Gerard Schwarz by Ben VanHouten.The Speaking Soundly theme song is composed by Joseph Saba/Stewart Winter and used by permission of Videohelper.Speaking Soundly was co-created by David Krauss and Jessica Handelman. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media.